BLINN MATH INSTRUCTOR SEES HARD WORK PAY OFF
As a competitive swimmer, Julie Coskey has seen her hard work and hours of practice pay off in the pool. As a Blinn College mathematics instructor, she has seen that same perseverance pay off for her students.
A scholarship swimmer at Texas A&M University 20 years ago, Coskey started training last year to compete in U.S. Masters Swimming Spring National Championship in San Antonio. In preparation for her first competition in 15 years, she trained for more than an hour each afternoon.
That dedication paid off, as Coskey won the 200-yard freestyle and placed second in the 50 freestyle, the 100 freestyle and the 100 individual medley.
“My goal was to go to nationals and do well and I did better than expected,” Coskey said. “My times at nationals were close to my best times ever.”
About to enter her sixth year with Blinn’s Division of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, Coskey admits that math can be difficult for students but said that just like anything else, it takes work and practice to improve.
“I really enjoy teaching when I can tell when I have made a difference in somebody and can see that they get it,” Coskey said. “Things don’t always come easy, but hard work does pay off. Relating math to sports, you don’t get good at anything by just watching your coach do it. I can see a difference when students are actually working and doing all their homework and asking questions.”
Swimming is a big part of the Coskey family’s life, as Julie’s husband coaches swimming at Brenham Junior High School and their two daughters also swim. Although not originally from the Brenham area, almost all of Coskey’s family has migrated to the area as her twin sister Valerie Clayton has been teaching math at Blinn for seven years and both her mother and father, Dona and Edwin Bates are employed at the College. Dona teaches math part-time and Edwin work full-time as a math tutor in the Learning Center.
Coskey is a big believer in getting involved while attending college.
“Whether it is sports or being involved in any kind of extracurricular activity it is really good to get involved in something and give yourself something else to focus on,” Coskey said.